Koreans hold nationwide rallies demanding Yoon's impeachment

Koreans held nationwide rallies Saturday to demand the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, coinciding with a scheduled vote on a second impeachment motion against him in the National Assembly.

Protests were held across major cities, where demonstrators called for Yoon's immediate resignation and urged lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to support the impeachment motion.

In Seoul, citizens began gathering several hours before the start of a massive rally organized by progressive civic groups outside the National Assembly in Yeouido.

"I wanted to get a good spot and make my voice heard," said Nam Da-hyun, 29, who arrived early. "While I hope for impeachment, what's even more important is continuing to show up like this and ensuring that society moves in a better direction."

Baek Eun-kyung, 46, who traveled from the southern provincial city of Suncheon on a KTX train to take part in the rally, said, "I came here because the government has practically declared war on its own people and refuses to take responsibility. I want to help create a world where my children can live safely."

As of 2:30 p.m., about 85,000 people were gathered at the rally, according to an unofficial police estimate.

Due to the crowd, Seoul Metro officials said trains on subway line No. 9 were bypassing the National Assembly Station as a precaution to prevent accidents caused by congestion.

Showing the nation's political division over Yoon's fate, however, tens of thousands of conservative demonstrators, mostly middle-aged and older, rallied against the impeachment of Yoon near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, waving both South Korean and U.S. flags.

Police estimated the crowd at about 38,000, while organizers claimed attendance reached 1 million.

In Gwangju, a coalition of 145 civic groups held a rally in the city center in support of the impeachment motion, followed by a march along Geumnam Street. Thousands will retrace the historic route of the May 18, 1980, Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal event in South Korea's democratic movement, during the march, according to organizers.

Similar demonstrations were also held in traditional conservative strongholds, including Busan, Daegu, and South and North Gyeongsang provinces.

In Busan, rallies took place in the bustling Seomyeon district, where participants were expected to march before gathering to watch the impeachment vote live.

In Daegu, opposition parties and civic groups organized separate rallies on the central Dongseong Street, anticipated to draw thousands. Protesters voiced frustration over Yoon's leadership and demanded his resignation amid growing public discontent.

In Gangwon Province, candlelight vigils were held in seven cities and counties, including Gangneung, Yoon's maternal hometown, where residents were to gather near a local landmark to demand his removal from office.

Additional rallies were held in Jeju, Incheon, Daejeon, and across North and South Chungcheong provinces, underscoring the nationwide scale of the discontent.

The impeachment motion follows Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. The first motion failed last Saturday due to a lack of quorum.

One rally organizer described the protests as a fight to "topple" the Yoon administration and safeguard democracy.

"Yoon ceased to be president the moment he pointed a gun at the democratic republic," the organizer said, requesting anonymity. "We will unite with citizens nationwide to topple him, the mastermind behind the insurrection attempt, and protect our democratic republic." (Yonhap)